Camper Security: Don't Let This Happen To You!

[@gordontownsend8439]

We bought apackage of padlocks at home depot all keyed alike.

[@billtodd999]

I have a PUP and did worry about security also, so i took all of the locking mechanism steps I could, but at the end of the day it is a tent on a box. I have the hitch ball lock, hitch lever lock, wheel locks including locking hub bolts so they cannot remove the wheel and take, I have a corner roof latch lock so they would have to bust the latch to lift the roof, i have the barrel locks on the storage hatch doors, and on the inside I have put those magnetic window alarms that are superglued to canvas in places anyone might try to open to get in. I have saved the photos of all of this along with the serial numbers on everything including the VIN of the trailer. Because of all of this and setting the motion detector when I go out, I do not lock the door because Velcro panels are next to the door and the lock will not deter anyone so no use having them bust it. without the remote when I enter, a load alarm will sound with any of these so the nearby campers will know when something is amiss. I have motion detection solar powered lights that come on if anyone or an animal walks too close at night, that seems to be a fist deterrent consider they are photographed remotely. All in all I think I have done everything humanly possible. The air horn I keep by the bed at night is also a good deterrent when they breach one of the other alarms if i am awakened by an intruder. it certainly would wake everyone in the park up at night for sure. And i do not leave anything of value in the camper, in fact I never wear my valuable watches when camping, just cheap ones. All you can do, is all you can do.

[@CellasChariot]

What a great system for locking up your camper! Also, always love the music you pick to go with your videos....LOVE IT!! Carey on...

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks so much!

[@philiptarnaski1667]

Hi to you all! Enjoying the all the info on the new truck camper Thanks 👍 Carey On ! And Safe Travels.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Good to hear from you! Hope all is well!

[@Trishstitch61]

Yeah somewhere other than Florida, time to get out there and explore with that new rig.

[@tammycruz8189]

Well I'm glad u thought of this . Great job guys

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks Tammy:)

[@rdint]

You may want to replace the quick release pins that attach the bottom slide adjustment to the frame as well. Looks like you could simply pull the pin and release the slide bar.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Once the fast gun lock is closed it creates a lot of tension on the receiver hitch. I tried to pull the bracket out of the hitch when it was latched with no luck.

[@rogerbrekas8239]

I've been using 2 of those locks for about 10 years. One to secure the hitch on the back of my truck and the other to secure the ball locking lever on the front of the trailer. They are great for security as you suggested.

[@larrycox6614]

Thanks for addressing this issue. Unfortunately it is all too common now in our society. This locking mechanism concept as truck hitches. Now, the pessimistic question. Are the keys unique? If not, you're in the same boat as most RV'ers whose door and storage bay keys are well known and anyone who has them can easily have access. It would be very expensive for a company to provide unique key for sure, but thought I'd ask. I suppose you could get them re-keyed on your own, then you would be golden.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

I was under the impression they are unique but I don’t know for sure.

[@davidpatrick1813]

Two things. 1. Some of us don’t think like criminals so we wouldn’t expect the weird. 😀 2. Consider pointing the caps backward if the lock goes both ways. Wind and road debris and water might get in sooner when pointed forward. Happy travels.😊

[@toddramsay977]

You also need a lockable set of pins for the mounts under your truck. You have the pins, it is just as easy to pull those pins, pull out the mounts and take the fast guns, they will deal with the locks above later. Great video!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

When the fast guns are engaged there is a lot of tension on the mounts receiver hitch. I pulled that pin and couldn’t budge it.

[@thequestlivetolearntolive.8555]

Thank you

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Your welcome:)

[@TorkliftUSA]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks! Super happy with the locks!

[@TorkliftUSA]

@@CareyOnVagabond So glad to hear that!

[@dorothyduvall6503]

Please check whether your locks are unique. I bought the Club for my car & my granddaughter's cars. She's had hers unlocked twice, nothing stolen. I guess just to show someone could. She had me try her key on my club. It unlocked. The keys are identical and are supposed to be all different.

[@stevec2665]

I recognized this as being a potential problem 5 years ago when I got mine. Another option that I did was drill a hole in the end of the top pin that is removed and then I could insert a mini padlock in the hole. I like your locks better, my way is cheaper but your way is more secure. Thanks for the tip I didn't know they existed.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

I was almost going to break out the drill but I’m glad I found these:)

[@cliffmorgan31]

With the salted winter roads regular padlocks rust up in fairly short order… I like the tight cap over the key hole to keep the corrosive salt out of the tumblers.

[@MrFoodTrader1]

I learned my lesson a few years ago when I came upon someone trying to steal mine at the Tampa RV show in the parking lot. The locks work great and Torklift is tops when it comes to customer service. Looking forward to your electrical upgrades!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Torklift has great customer service!

[@mortenthenorwegian2875]

Nice tie downs and security. And very cool bikeride. Mine tiedowns are inside the camper and in the bed of the truck (Ratchet strap)

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Even better!

[@mortenthenorwegian2875]

@@CareyOnVagabond For security, but a litle more work to take it of and on.

[@mortenthenorwegian2875]

@@CareyOnVagabond kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3rIXmWPfbeXnqc

[@CareyOnVagabond]

@@mortenthenorwegian2875 ah👍

[@ZaneDargaty]

The way the locks are on now, it looks like it would be very easy to get to the pin with a cordless cutoff tool. Is it possible to operate the cam lever with it turned 18i0 degrees? That way open side of the cam lever is to the inside, making it harder to access the pin.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

I don’t think you would have room to open the fast gun with it turned around.

[@Busyascanbe]

Very kool! And very informative! 🎣 and I think I’ll go fishing on that note😋😋😋

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Good luck;)

[@blessedveteran]

That's the same system I have. I used to have the locking pins but lost 1 in alaska and then another in canada. They are expensive and they can fall off. Make sure you have extra of the others if they do fall off and you lose them👍 I have now had the non locking ones and have still yet to have an issue. I am not buying a new set of those locks since they are expensive

[@SpykersB]

They can’t fall off if you actually locked them on properly, clicked in! 🤪

[@blessedveteran]

@Spykers B. They were locked. I always double-checked. There is obviously a way for it to happen because it did twice to me in 6m. I had them for over a year before with no issue. They stopped locking as easy, so I started double checking. Even with that, they still came off. It was not worth it to me to purchase another 4 pack of them. 👍

[@blessedveteran]

@Spykers B. Another thing good about the non locking ones is there is no way they can come off while driving. Now, I do not have to worry. I would much rather someone steal them while I'm parked than them coming off while I'm driving 👍

[@blessedveteran]

@Spykers B. Also, if you research this, I am definitely not the only person who this has happened to. I just wanted to give them a heads up that it can happen. 👍

[@mickylawless1941]

I'm a wee bit surprised that the RV store didn't have the locks included with the tie downs. But I'm glad that today's video wasn't about something bad happening to the camper. Oh, you two really should head straight over to Montana. We've received about 30+" of snow here in Bozeman in the last few days. My little econo box car is buried. I'm betting many of the our new out of state transplants are freaking out that winter came back hard! Not me, I'm hitting Bridger Bowl tomorrow. And by the way... Carey On!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Enjoy!

[@cyclejockey4397]

I just spent a month in FL riding my road bike around the Ocala area and Santos paved trail. Wish I would have known woulda been cool to meet up for a stroll down the greenway ! Carry on !

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Dang! That would have been fun. We seem to be in this area a lot in the winter so if your back next year holler!

[@cyclejockey4397]

@@CareyOnVagabond Ok sounds good. Yea I plan on going back next year myself

[@bevn362]

Did I miss in the video about the key(s)? When someone else buys this can’t they use their key to unlock your’s? Seems it would be expensive for the company to make each set bought keyed differently.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Each set of four has its own unique key that you get four of.😉👍

[@micktepolt6276]

can you use a long padlock ?

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Possibly🤷‍♂️😁

[@carolynhogarth2725]

If you are leaving Florida be ever so careful of weather because missiissippi had a 276 mile tornado touch down. My God. If you want security for your camper take off two jacks. Just saying. No one can steal it then. Love you all carolyn

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks guys. We’ll be watching the weather closely as we head that direction.

[@rypmcguire]

Great video, recently added the same locks. Some peace of mind for sure. The covers inside your backseat windows, are those simply cut to size or were you able to buy precut but brand of truck?

[@CareyOnVagabond]

I bought a small roll of 2 ft wide reflectix and cut them to fit. Just slightly bigger than the window so they tuck in and stay put. Really helps with heat and you can’t see the bikes;)

[@rypmcguire]

Awesome, thank you very much! Great idea!

[@esparka]

Yes, I would definitely have the camper locked in this manner. Another issue could be as simple as a group of mischievous kids who would loosen the lockdown mechanisms to be destructive. Did the one key work on all locks? Thanks

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Yes, all the keys are the same.

[@deborakendrick1667]

Will same key fit every lock they sell?

[@esparka]

@@deborakendrick1667 Each kit has its own key code. There surely are other sets which are keyed with the same code, but those are scattered about. Definitely, do not let others see which actual set you purchase. A swift scammer could purchase another set with the same code as you. They will then knowingly possess your key, as well…

[@tangsongshan1]

I had that type of lock on a hitch bike rack and the lock was cut off and the rack stolen. From my driveway.

[@barackmycat9448]

Truck campers always look very tail heavy to me. Obviously they do work. It looks very nice.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Yes they do

[@EasyLube]

Good catch guys! I just started watching your vids and really appreciate the info you share and how you present it. I haven't used a truck camper since my teens and after having 2 travel trailers, then 15 years in a Class A, we're considering what's next. The truck camper was a thought, but after watching your videos it's now a serious consideration. The one thing I haven't seen you discuss however, is your truck. It appears you chose a truck that also captures my fancy... gas powered, w/o duel wheels. If possible, could you share some details about your truck?... How it pulls that camper?... Any mods you may have added (IE Suspension), or anticipate it may need? Thanks in advance and Carey On!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

We’re definitely not experts on trucks and suspension by any means but there are some nice lighter campers out there that don’t require dual wheels. I’d recommend finding the camper you want, see what it’s wet weight is plus whatever weight you might add and find a truck that has enough payload. 1 ton ford and rams are very popular. We added air suspension with on board compressor to our ram and it rides very nice.

[@EasyLube]

@@CareyOnVagabond I was wondering if you added an air suspension. Thank you, for your response.👍

[@nomadnorm]

I would put all of the keys facing back. Driving rain may get in.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

🤔 I guess my thought was to have the cap facing forward so the rain washes over it as opposed to having the crease of the cap facing the rain. We’ll see. It’s a super tight fit and I don’t think anything’s getting in there👍😁 Thanks!

[@paulbailey5915]

Makes sense. Probably people overthinking. After all, key locks have been on car for 100 years @@CareyOnVagabond

[@rgdowntheroad]

Thanks for the security video. We went to Amazon and found two items under the same torqlift heading. One set locks had a number s9500 and the had s9700. Noticed that neither had a rubber gasket on the inside like yours had. This gasket in the video is in your left hand. Any ideas?

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Though the product picture doesn’t show it this link will take you to the 9500 that should have the rubber gasket at the outer rubber cover. There is a comment under the product that describes it as having both. I can reach out to Torklift to confirm. amzn.to/3Zgxc7V

[@TorkliftUSA]

@@CareyOnVagabond This is correct!

[@paulbailey5915]

If you have it detached, what prevents someone backing-up their truck and stealing the truck camper?

[@CareyOnVagabond]

You use the remote control to raise the camper up. Then you drive out from under it. Then you lower it down near the ground. They can’t raise it up to drive under it.

[@paulbailey5915]

Got it thanks. That was the first question my wife asked. We were thinking of a Van, but now pivoting to the idea of a truck camper. Actually the Cirrus 820, but my wife loves the new 920. What are your thoughts on the 920/@@CareyOnVagabond

[@CareyOnVagabond]

@@paulbailey5915 We actually haven’t been inside the 920 so can’t really say. If it’s longer than the 820 we’d probably pass.

[@paulbailey5915]

Yes the 920 will be longer, on an 8ft bed. May I ask what truck you have for the 820? 250/2500 SRW or do you think you need a DRW? Cheers and love your channel@@CareyOnVagabond

[@waltermeerschaert]

Another security lesson: If you video yourself for any reason and say, post the videos on the internet, NEVER show the camera your keys. Key shapes can be copied from still-frame images, it only takes a small amount of key knowledge, as they are standardized. Treat your keys like you would your credit cards. Protect the secret bits (the numbers and RFID on your cards, or the bitting on the keys). You wouldn't read off your digits, don't show your secrets by accident.

[@waltermeerschaert]

not that a lock picker would have much trouble. No lock is unpickable, but having 4 of them definitely would make a thief think about it twice. Be more secure than the next guy over.

[@luissantiago9564]

Oh please a battery operated grinder would cut the top hook in to seconds

[@BM-if9zn]

My thought as well. I hope it doesn't happen.

[@garethp983]

Maybe should black out the back of your truck so no one can see what’s in there

[@CareyOnVagabond]

It is, thanks;)

[@TheSkiseeks]

Thanks again. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpmYq6CnlN2piLs - Lock And Key